Conman ran up big bills for wedding

Richard Dixon with Heather Gomm, who knew him only under the false name of Antonio Almendaz. Photo / Supplied

The fiancee of a wedding scammer is trying to move on with her life after discovering her husband-to-be never intended tying the knot.

Heather Gomm, 25, of Gisborne, was due to marry new love Richard Rae Dixon, 37, in an elaborate summer ceremony in her hometown.

Instead she discovered he had ordered goods and services valued at more than $10,000 for the nuptials and a family party he never intended to go through with.

A relative of Ms Gomm said she met the Auckland man on the internet in September last year but knew him only by the fake name he gave her - Antonio Almendaz.

The family member, who did not want to be named, said the couple had compiled a guest list and Ms Gomm had started looking for wedding dresses.

But the deception came to light when Dixon was stopped by police near Wairoa in February and arrested.

Dixon was this week sentenced in the Gisborne District Court to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty in August to six charges of obtaining by deception. He has admitted seven other charges of obtaining by deception and will be sentenced for those next month.

As Ms Gomm planned their future together, her family became concerned about her new partner.

"He said he was a champion kickboxer and that he was a bodyguard to the stars," said her relative.

"There were alarm bells all over the place."

A relative of Ms Gomm said she is studying at a polytechnic while trying to rebuild her life.

- additional reporting Gisborne Herald